Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Submit Your Case

(303) 683-5033

4600 S Ulster Street, Suite 800, Denver, CO 80237

  • Our Firm
    • Our Mission
    • Injury Attorney Profiles
    • How Representation Works
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation / Work Injuries
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Drunk Driving Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Injured Truckers and Cab Drivers
    • Slip and Falls (Premises Liability)
    • Insurance Disputes
    • Wrongful Death
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Resources
    • Legal Library
    • Workers Compensation Guide
    • Scholarships
  • Locations
  • Contact
Personal Injury Law (Home) › Attorney Blog › Workers' Compensation › Senate Approves Colorado Workers’ Comp Reform Bill

Senate Approves Colorado Workers’ Comp Reform Bill

May 9, 2014

work-injury-claim-form

After months of haggling over employer provisions and the expansion of workers’ rights, a controversial workers’ compensation reform bill has finally passed the Colorado Senate and now awaits the approval Gov. John Hickenlooper.

The Denver Business Journal reported that House Bill 1383 was voted through by a 19-16 majority last Monday (May 5)—meaning Colorado is one step closer to allowing workers injured on-the-job the right to choose between two more certified doctors.

While this passage by the Senate is a victory for the bill’s supporters and those seeking reform for the outdated workers’ compensation system currently in place, it did not come without some major compromises.

During the grueling negotiation process to get the bill on the Senate floor, business interest groups were able to get rid of a provision that would have eliminated a current law which allows employers to lower injury settlements by 50 percent in cases where a worker was not following safety rules when the injury occurred.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Angela Williams of Denver, also was forced to cut out a condition aimed at reducing the number of settlements that end with workers leaving their job.

Lastly, the original draft of the reform sought to expand the number of doctor choices for injured employees, arguing that workers should be able to choose their own physician to treat them for injuries.

This was the bill’s main objective…..

Although the idea of choosing a “willing provider” was shot down, the final bill did succeed in doubling the number of doctors that must be offered by an employer as options for diagnosing and treating work-related injuries.

Essentially, this would give workers who are injured on-the-job more options for receiving medical treatment so they can get back to work. Many Coloradoans believe the current system is tilted in favor of companies, rather than employees.

State Sen. Jessie Ulibarri of the heavily industrial district of Commerce City says that we can’t wait any longer for changes to be made in workers’ comp law.  “The fact is that we haven’t updated [workers’ comp law] in 20 years, and the world is a completely different place,” Ulibarri said. “Twenty years ago, we weren’t seen as an advanced technology leader. Now, we are.”

However, even if the governor signs this reform bill into law, the fact is that Colorado continues to be one of the lowest-cost states for workers’ compensation insurance. And while that may be good for businesses, it often falls on the injured worker to foot the medical bill for their on-the-job accident.

If you get into a dispute with your employer about coverage for an injury you received while at work, it is critical that you learn about your right to compensation to ensure that you don’t get underpaid. Insurance companies and businesses have skilled legal representation, and so should you.

Get expert legal advice from R. Mack Babcock by scheduling a free consultation today.

Related Post

Employee Filling In for Co-Worker Entitled to Workers’ Comp Benefits
Colorado Workers’ Compensation Attorney R. Mack Babcock Added to Rising Sta...
Does Our Aging Workforce Affect Workers Compensation Trends?
Colorado Workers’ Compensation Insurer of Last Resort Takes Position on Leg...

Filed Under: Workers' Compensation Tagged With: Colorado workers' compensation laws, Colorado workers' compensation news, work injury benefits, workplace accidents

Related Articles from our Knowledge Center
Workers Compensation
When You're Injured
  • How to File a Work Injury Claim
  • Reporting a Work-Related Injury or Condition
  • Workers' Compensation Overview
Obtaining Treatment & Benefits
  • Workers’ Compensation for Law Enforcement Officers
  • Reasons Why Temporary Disability Benefits Can Be Terminated in Your Workers’ Compensation Case
  • Workers' Compensation Case Timeline
Work Injury Prevention, General Information
  • How Forced Arbitration Leaves Employees Helpless
  • Combustible Dust: An Explosive Work Hazard
  • 10 Common Workplace Injuries
View All Workers Comp Articles

Blog Categories

  • Auto Accidents
  • Community
  • DUI/DWAI
  • Firm News
  • General
  • Insurance Disputes
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Preventing Injury
  • Product/Safety Recalls
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Wrongful Death

Personal Injury
Practice Areas

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Drunk Driving Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Workers' Comp / Work Injuries Injured Truckers / Cab Drivers Slip & Falls (Premises Liability) Insurance Disputes Wrongful Death

Resources

Blog Contact Us Legal Library Workers Compensation Guide Firm News



The Babcock Law Firm
4600 S Ulster Street, Suite 800
Denver, CO 80237
United States


  • Facebook
  • Google+
Super Lawyers


Denver Magazine
Top Lawyers 2015



Proudly serving on the
WILG Board of Directors


SEO Legal

Our Firm

  • Firm Mission
  • Attorney Profiles
  • Practice Areas
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Knowledge Center
SSL
Colorado Workers' Comp Guide Free eBook

A one-stop resource specially designed for injured workers and families.


Colorado Car Accident Guide Free eBook

Comprehensive overview and handy car accident checklist that includes critical steps you need to try and take after an accident occurs.


Part of the Enjuris Network

HomeAbout UsContact UsPrivacy PolicyLegal Disclaimer & Terms of UseLocal & Reviews

© 2019 The Babcock Law Firm, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Colorado Law Firm for Workers Compensation, Car Accidents & Personal Injury.
Serving all of Colorado and the Denver metro area from our Denver law office Law Firm Internet Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.™